Corona del Mar man charged with lying under oath, claiming to be a veteran and war hero

SANTA ANA — A 54-year-old Corona del Mar resident was charged Friday, Aug. 18, with committing perjury and falsely representing himself as a war veteran with an extensive military background and experience, authorities said.

Prior to December 2016, Pete Kalamaris is accused of applying for and receiving a high-level paying job with a six-figure salary based on his purported education and military experience, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

On Dec. 6, 2016, Kalamaris is accused of filing a declaration in a civil case claiming he was wrongfully terminated from his job.

Under penalty of perjury, Kalamaris is accused of falsely declaring, among other things, that he was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, served in the Navy for 22 years, was a fighter pilot, reached the rank of commander, served in combat, earned an MBA from an esteemed university, and was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, the report said.

Kalamaris also is accused of attaching forged copies of his transcripts from the Naval Academy, a bachelor of science degree certificate, and photos of himself wearing a Navy uniform and medals of distinction that he did not earn, the report said.

On Nov. 14, 2016, Kalamaris is accused of testifying at a civil deposition under oath to graduating from the Naval Academy. The academy doesn’t have a record of Kalamaris attending or graduating from the university, the report said.

Kalamaris is being charged with two felony counts of perjury, two felony counts of forgery, as well as falsifying documents and impersonating a veteran to defraud. He faces a maximum sentence of six months in state prison.